Match-box.



F. E. LAFLBR. MATCH BOX. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 28, 1908.

925,485. Patented June 22, 1909. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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MATCH BOX. LPPLIOATIQN FILED AUG. 28, 1908. 925,485. Patented June 22, 1909.

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FrancisELaHen UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANCIS E. LAFLER, OF WALLA WALLA, WASHINGTON.

MATCH-B OX.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANCIS E. LAFLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Walla \Valla, in the county of lVallawalla and State of \Vashington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Match- Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to receptacles having especial reference to a device in which matches are adapted to be placed.

An object of this invention is to construct a match receptacle having means whereby the matches may be delivered one at a time to the operator.

The invention further designs the construction of a match receptacle of simple formation and in the number of its parts so that the same can be easily operated and economically manufactured.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description and it will be understood that changes in the specific structure shown and described may be made within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings forming a portion of this specification, and in which like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the sev-. eral views, Figure 1 is a front elevation of the device, Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same, Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the feed roller detached, Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the receptacle and the feed roller removed therefrom, Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse section of the complete device.

Referring now to the drawings, designates the receptacle which is rectangular in cross section and which is supported against a wall or the like by the upwardly extended back of the same into which an aperture 11 is formed through which a nail is adapted to be passed to support the device. The ends of the receptacle 10 extend downwardly from the upper edge of the back to the front of the receptacle for the purpose of forming a guide as the matches are placed within the body portion 10. The bottom of the receptacle is formed by curving the lower extremities 12 and 13 of the front and back respectively inwardly toward each other allowing a space between their opposite extremities equal to the thickness of the ordinary match and which are recessed oppositely to allow the feed roller to extend into the bot Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 28, 1908.

Patented June 22, 1909.

Serial No. 450,675.

tom and to convey the matches from the same. I The opposite ends of the receptacle 10 are extended downwardly where they are recessed as at 1 1 to receive the opposite ends of a transverse shaft 15 upon which is mounted the feed roller. The feed roller comprises two heads 16 and 17 which are provided with radially disposed recesses the opposite sides of which are formed into shoulders 18 and cam engaging surfaces 19. The cams 19 extend upwardly through the recesses formed in the extremities 12 and 13 of the receptacle 10 and engage the matches contained therein for the purpose of raising the same gradually until the radial recesses are registered directly beneath the match, when the same by its own weight will fall into the recesses and be carried outwardly and forwardly as the feed roller is rotated. For the purpose of positioning the heads 16 and 17 rigidly apart from each other and also for the purpose of operating the feed roller by hand a three-cornered sleeve 20 is positioned about the shaft 15 and secured at its opposite ends to the inner opposite faces of the heads 16 and 17.

The operation of the device is as follows: Matches are deposited in the upper open end of the receptacle 12 where they fall longitudinally upon the bottom and are engaged by the cams 19 of the feed roller. When it is desired to withdraw a match from the receptacle the operator applies the finger or thumb to the sleeve 20 and depresses the same thereby causing approximately one third of a revolution of the feed roller. This action causes the cams 19 to engage the matches in the bottom of the receptacle, to gradually raise the same and finally to allow one of the matches to fall into the radial recesses formed in the heads 16 and 17 passing through the space between the ends of the inturned portions 12 and 13. This action is repeated upon the withdrawal of each match.

hat is claimed is 1. In a device of the character described, the combination of a receptacle, a shaft transversely mounted at the bottom of said receptacle, heads spaced upon said shafthaving a plurality of radially formed recesses disposed in the peripheries thereof, cam surfaces formed on said heads adjacent said recesses and an angled sleeve disposed about said shaft for supporting said heads and for rotating the same.

2. As an article of manufacture, a metallic receptacle having the lower extremities of the back and front thereof curved inwardly toward each other, the inturned extremities of said front and back being spaced apart to admit of the passage of a match therebetween, a shaft mounted in the lower extremities of the depended sides of said receptacle, heads spaced on said shaft having recesses disposed in the peripheries thereof, cam surfaces formed on said heads adjacent said recesses, said heads extended into cutaway portions of said front and back of said receptacle and an angled sleeve positioned about said shaft for supporting said heads and for the purpose of actuating the same.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature, in presence of two Witnesses.

FRANCIS E. LAFLER. lVitnesses:

C. A. TOMPKINS, J. M. RosE. 

